BJP Modi led BJP’s campaign. He was BJP’s campaign. And that was the problem.
No political brand is immune to voter fatigue. Modi’s wasn’t either. BJP’s rising vote share since 2014 was rightly attributed to Modi.
The fall in its vote share must also mean Brand Modi has lost some lustre. Without doubt he’s still a leader who commands substantial support. But, equally without doubt, that support wasn’t enough to carry BJP beyond the finish line when voters had many questions for Modi Sarkar.
Talking up growth rates when jobs are scarce, and prices pinch or talking up India’s standing in world when rural incomes and consumption are under stress — Modi’s key pitches were judged as out of whack with reality by many voters. The best demonstration of this came from UP. The state Modi made his political home gave BJP its biggest shock.
Also, given that Modi’s entire electoral record was built on delivering clear BJP majorities whenever he’s on the ballot, his inability to take BJP past 272 will affect his brand post-results. Modi the Invincible can’t apply if Modi runs a coalition govt, whose survival depends on mercurial allies like Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu. Modi has seen a different kind of India.
Will India see a different kind of Modi? Written off any number of times since 2014 — often derisively called ‘Pappu’ and ‘Shehzada’ — Rahul Gandhi still refused to listen to party insiders who advised him to take a less combative stance. H.
